New traffic laws for 2013

New traffic laws were among the 800 bills passed by the California Legislature this year, with most going into effect New Years Day. The new laws change testing options for drivers arrested for driving under the influence to regulations on texting and charter party carriers.

Several laws expand the use of electronic devices on the road. AB 1536 authorizes drivers to use voice activated texting devices. SB 1298 essentially gives driverless cars learners' permits by allowing their operation on public roads as long as a licensed driver remains present.

Under AB 1708, drivers may use electronic devices to provide paperless proof of insurance and registration.

SB 1303 provides new guidelines for government agencies using red light cameras. The new requirements prohibit governmental agencies from making a profit on the installation, establish requirements to define a specific safety benefit for any new installation and establish guidelines for issuing and handling any resulting citations.

AB 2489 creates a $250 infraction to alter or deface a license plate making it unreadable by visual or electronic means. This is meant to help law enforcement utilize cruiser mounted electronic scanning of license plates.

It will now be illegal, according to AB 1854 to sell previously deployed air bags or air bag parts not up to original equipment specifications.

Hospitals, birthing centers and clinics discharging children younger than 8 years old must provide the child caregivers information on child safety seats per AB 1452.

Driver's licenses will be now be issued in California to people without Social Security accounts with some qualifications according to AB 2189.

The Amber alert system will be expanded to include a Silver alert for at risk missing seniors.

High occupancy toll lanes may now be accessed by vehicles with a clean air vehicle sticker according to AB 2405.

Drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs must now submit to a blood test to determine the extent of impairment. AB 2020 removes the option drivers had to choose either a urine or a blood test. Urine tests are considered an inaccurate and unreliable measure of drug levels in a person's system. Many DUI attorneys have advised their clients to opt for the urine sample due to its unreliability making it easier to challenge in court, according to the legislative analyst.

AB 45 prohibits underage drinking on charter carriers and requires a chaperone at least 25-years-old for trips where alcohol and passengers under the legal drinking age are present.